RATS MAKE GOOD FRIENDS
By Anne Edwards

A couple of months ago I adopted a female rat named Jazzie. A couple of days later I noticed she had fattened up really quickly, so I came to the conclusion she was pregnant. I put her on a special diet of custard and milk products. A couple of weeks later she had twelve beautiful babies.

Jazzie was pretty young to be having babies. From the start of their lives, I handled them everyday. I watched them grow day by day as they got fur and later, opened their eyes. They were quiet, big babies, and very plump. Jazzie would try to bite me, because she was protecting her young. But, after a while she became used to me and settled down.

She was a good mother, and I was very proud of her. I left her babies with her for five weeks, so they wouldn't be taken away from their mum too early. Everyday, I would sing out to the children, and all twelve of them would jump on the side of the cage to greet me.

Because I don't have room for all of them, I managed to get homes for each of the babies except for the two beautiful little females I kept. One of them is an albino white called Sugar and one gray-white called Spice. I'm keeping the babies in a separate cage till they are older. They are such beautiful, loving, and friendly little girls. They certainly give unconditional love back to me.

My love for these rats has grown even more after having seven weeks of cancer treatment and a good result from the therapy. This little family of pets has been my sanity throughout the cancer treatment. My angel animals have never been too busy to listen to me. I tell them my deepest thoughts.

Rats are just there, so spiritual and giving me unconditional love. They don't judge, hurt, or insult me. I would like to say, and I have thought this for a long time -- people should give the domesticated rats a fair go. They are not just snake food. Pet rats are intelligent, loving little beings.

Some people turn their noses up when I tell them I have pet rats. I wish I could save them all, but the ones I keep are able to have a life. I really feel privileged to be around them. The love I get back from these special creatures, I couldn't buy. Oh, and another thing, pet rats are very clean.

BIO:

Anne Edwards lives in Newcastle, Australia with her lovely husband Bill and her blessed angel animals. She does volunteer work for her local hospital and really loves it. Anne has two lovely daughters and six grand kids. She feels blessed to have her dog Snitzel, a cheeky quarrion George, and her seven lovely female rats, Daisy, Bluebell, Polly, Peri, Jazzie, Sugar, and Spice. Her hobbies are reading spiritual books, making jewelry, and swimming.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

In Chinese astrology, people born in the Year of the Rat are thought to be honest, generous, friendly, and relaxed. Have you ever considered having a rat for a pet?